Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person suspected of operating while intoxicated
Sponsored by the House Public Safety Committee
Topics:Health carePublic safety & emergencies
Same legislation: HSB 171
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2025
- Done: House committeeMarch 6, 2025
- Stopped: Passes the HouseDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
Under current law, when a person is suspected of operating a motor vehicle in violation of Code chapter 321J (operating while intoxicated), only a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, medical technologist, or registered nurse, who is acting at the request of a peace officer, may withdraw a specimen of blood for the purpose of determining the alcohol concentration or the presence of a controlled substance or other drugs. This bill expands the list of persons authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood.
Read the full explanation
Under the bill, a paramedic if authorized by the paramedic’s designated medical director, licensed practical nurse, medical laboratory technician, phlebotomist, laboratory assistant, and other qualified persons are also authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood at the request of a peace officer. The bill requires a person who withdraws a specimen of blood to act reasonably, in good faith, and in accordance with standard medical procedures and applicable occupational safety and health standards. The bill shields all authorized persons from civil and criminal liability for the withdrawal of a specimen of blood, except in cases of negligence, so long as the person acts in compliance with the bill.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named February 26, 2025 (as HSB 171). On February 26, 2025 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Iowa Code it changes
Amends§321J.11
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
3 for · 1 against · 5 undecided · Who →
Family tree
Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.
Study bill
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- HF 550 Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person sus…90th General Assembly · Renumbered as HF 2136 · same titleCleared committee
- HF 2136 Relating to medical personnel authorized to withdraw a specimen of blood from a person sus…90th General Assembly · Passed House · very similarPassed a chamber
Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.